By Katherine Wilkinson

Two building contractors have been arrested in Knysna and an arrest warrant was issued for a home owner after they ignored a court order to stop alterations to a heritage building.

This is in sharp contrast to Nelson Mandela Bay where local authorities have been slow to act against those who disregard building regulations and standards.

The building, the old manor house at Tides End, is more than 60 years old and, in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, anyone wanting to alter or demolish it needs a permit from the relevant provincial heritage authority.

Contractors Guy Hill and Linda van Lier were arrested on site on Tuesday. They were released on warning to appear in court next Wednesday.

An arrest warrant was issued for home owner Tristan David, according to submissions before a Knysna mayoral committee meeting yesterday.

Municipal building inspector Ricardo Schroeder visited the site earlier this month after he was approached by the Tides End home owners association.

The municipality obtained a court order against the three after they ignored repeated orders to stop building activities, including alterations, extensions and the construction of a swimming pool.

Knysna municipal planning and development director Lauren Waring told the committee all three had received several verbal and written instructions.

After the court order was issued, municipal officials visited the site on Tuesday and found building work still in progress.

“They were then told later in the day that the council would call in the police, and they still carried on. Then a case was made against them for contravening a court order and the police arrested the two contractors on site,” Waring said.

Police went to David’s residence later that afternoon, but he was not at home.

Mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies said: “I believe these arrests, and recent actions undertaken by the municipality with regard to land use and building control irregularities and transgressions, should be seen as a strong indicator that we are not prepared to allow transgressors to disregard instructions and act with contempt towards officials.”

Source: The Herald